Photo: Skopje’s government press service
Feb 1, 2024. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
Skopje.
Attending a forum on Chinese and Russian influence in the Balkans held in the US on Wednesday, North Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister in charge of good governance policies, Slavica Grkovska, said that US partnership is key in dealing with malign influences in the Balkan region, Skopje’s government press service reported.
Grkovska took part in the event ahead of the traditional prayer breakfast in Washington, which she will attend.
She noted that North Macedonia has always been subjected to various
influences, including harmful ones, which have undermined every step the
country has taken towards NATO membership and EU accession negotiations.
"Unfortunately, these influences not only have not diminished with
North Macedonia's accession to NATO but have intensified as the country is
faced with new obstacles to joining the European Union. In such a context,
malign narratives, fake news, and disinformation are spreading wider and deeper
in society. All this benefits the countries that, historically speaking, have
always opposed North Macedonia. And the Euroscepticism and anti-Western
sentiment, which are systematically growing, could have long-term consequences
for the stability of our society and the whole region," Grkovska stressed.
She expressed hope that the US will remain an ally and friend of North
Macedonia and will continue to support the country's efforts to promote
democracy and the rule of law and build sustainable institutional capacity.
"Without the US partnership, we would not be able to deal with the
malign influences of the enemies of freedom and democracy, nor prevent the
metastases spreading in the fragile fabric of our society," Grkovska
added.
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